Pipe-clamp.



UNITED snares PATENT- OFFICE.

FREDERICK 1. JQ HNSON, OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.

PIPE-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917.

Application-filed February 1, 1917. Serial No. 145,998.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK I. Jenn- SON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the town of Warren, in the county of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, have ,provide a ground wire attaching member on the saddle portion of the clamp, whereby when a number of these clamps are employed on a job, a single continuous ground wire may be passed through and connected directly to all of said clamps without the necessity of employing short leads from each clamp to the main grounding wire, thus saving about one-half the number of soldered wire joints.

A further advantage in my improved construction is that by employing a screw for tightening the band about the pipe having a greasy surface or even a pipe with an enameled surface, the screw wil penetrate such a surface and somake a perfect electrical contact with the metal itself.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended clalms.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved clamps attached. to a plurality of pipes, and a common grounding wire passin through and connected directly to each. 0 amp, thus minimizing the number of soldered wire joints.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the saddle member of my improved clamp.

Fig. 3- is a sectional edge elevation on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the wire band as riveted to. the boss on the saddle.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the wire band which connects the saddle to the pipe.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designatw the saddle member of my improved clamp which may be formed of any suitable material and of any desired size, but this saddle is preferably formed of metal and is substantially V-shape in cross section, its lower edges 11 being adapted to set upon the surface of the pipe, the spread of the V being preferably formed so as to receive the smallest size pipe between its legs, and to rest upon the surface of pipes of greater diameter.

On one side of thissaddle is formed the catch member 12 preferably turned up in the form of ahook. The top' of the saddle is provided with a boss 13 threaded to receive the binding screw 14.

A band 15 preferably of thin sheet-metal, copper being preferred, is formed of a length to extend around pipes of difierent diameters and the free end of the band is provided with a plurality of holes 16 adapted to hook over the catch 12 while the opposite end of the band is provided with a single hole adapted to fit over the boss 13, and the outer end of this boss is then riveted or spread over this band permanently connecting the same to the saddle. The set screwhole above referred to is formed after the riveting operation is completed, and the inner end of the screw after having been positioned in its threaded hole is upset. as at 18 so that it cannot be withdrawn and accidentally lost. 7

An essential feature of this invention is the construction by which the I ounding or bounding wire 19 may be readily connected to these different clamps and this is obtained in a simple and efi'ective way by the provisiori of an arm 20 extending from the end of the saddle andthis arm is provided with an upwardly extending U-shape opening 21 into which the skinned or exposed portion of the ground wire may rest and be soldered, making a permanent connection thereto.

A number of important practical advanta es are obtained by my improved construction of clamp: Firstall of the parts 4 of the clamp are so attached together that none can become loosened, withdrawn or lost. This is a eat convenience from a practical standpoint as where separate nuts and 'screws are employed, they are invariably loosening and becoming lost which often necessitates the workman leavin a job and going backto the shop for with which to replace the lost parts, losing much time and causing annoyance to the contractor.

Another feature is that the boss 13 on the saddle performs a double function: First, it serves as a rivet permanently securing the band to the saddle; and second, it provides a thickened portion through which the screw is threaded. The Hook or catch member is formed integral with the saddle portion and completed when the part is cast requiring no extra labor to construct.

Another feature of my improved clamp is that the wire may be soldered in position to the clamp before it is connected to the pipe, that is it may be taken to some convenient place for the soldering operation and subsequently attached to the conduit.

The connecting arm is arranged on the saddle so that any number of these clips may be connected directly to a single continuous ground wire, thereby reducing the number of soldered wire joints necessary in a system using my improved device, to the very minimum.

I have illustrated one means whereby my invention may be carried out, but I do not' wish to limit myself to this specific construction as various changes in shape and form of the several features may be necessary, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pipe clamp for ground'wires comprising a saddle member a flexible band for connecting said saddle to a pipe said band being provided with a series of holes and a member carried by said saddle for engaging the diiferent holes in said band whereby the clamp may be readily connected to and disconnected from pipes of difierent sizes.

2. A clamp of the character described eanne? comprising a' saddle member having an integral attaching catch, a flexible band connected at one end to said saddle and provided near its free end with a series of openings to make engagement with said catch, a screw threaded through said saddle to form an endwise abutment to raise and tighten the band when connected to a pipe, and means integral with said saddle to which the ground wire may be readily connected.

3. A lamp of the class described compris ing a saddle member having a catch memlier on one side thereof, a boss on the top of the saddle, a flexible metal band having a hole in one end to receive said boss, the latter being riveted over said band permanently attaching the two together, said band being also provided with holes adapted to make engagement with said catch, a screw threaded through said boss to tighten the band when connected to a pipe, and means on said saddle to which the ground wire may be readily connected.

4. A clamp of the class described comprising a saddle member having a catch member on one side thereof, a boss on the top of the saddle, a flexible metal band having a hole in one end to receive said boss, the latter being riveted over said band permanently attaching the two together, said band being also provided with holes adapted to make engagement with said catch, a screw threaded through said boss to tighten the band when connected to a pipe, and an integral arm on said saddle to which the ground wire is adapted to be readil connected.

In testimon whereof I a x my signature in presence 0 a witness,

FREDERICK I. J ()HNSON,

Witness:

HOWARD 'E. BARLOW. 

